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Nathan gets sight saving treatment
MBTC-28-01-13- Nathan Francis. Nathan is undergoing revolutionary cancer treatment at Gt Ormond St Hospital. Nathan Francis,9 with Dad Ronnie Francis and brother Rafael.
A youngster from Kempston has become the third child ever in the UK to receive a revolutionary tumour shrinking drug from America.
And now that the Cancer Fund organisation has stepped in to cover the cost of US drug Avastin, the money can be donated to deserving charities.
Keech Hospice, Great Ormond Street Hospital, India Rose Trust and Ridgeway School, all of which have played roles in Nathan’s care, will benefit from the money.
His father Ronnie Francis, said: “We have contacted all of those who have contributed and given them the option to have their money back, but it’s been really nice to be able to give it to the charities.
“We haven’t really had the chance to celebrate because his treatment started straight away, but the drug has a 90 per cent success rate.
“In three months we will see how much of an impact it has made. He has seen an optimologist and his vision is still fine, so far so good.”
And Ronnie told how stunned the family were at the amount of people who came forward to donate time and money.
He said: “We were overwhelmed by the generosity of the Bedford community. We held a concert last year and the place was packed.
“The support came from everybody too. All kinds of people were there at that concert. Some people even turned up with things to sell and three quarters of those people I didn’t know. Even kids donated their pocket money.”
Nathan has been treated for five brain tumours since he was 18-months-old. Side effects from the treatment have included behavioural changes, and Nathan going through a form of puberty aged three.
Four of the tumours are now inactive. But the Avastin will treat the last one, wrapped around his optic nerve which could make him go blind.
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Weather for Bedford
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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